If this was directed at me, I'm just being inquisitive, not trying to imply that there is anything wrong with the Malankara practice.

Christos anesti!

Not directed at you at all. I just love the quote.

It's actually a paraphrase of Jaroslav Pelikan, a Christian historian who joined the Orthodox Church late in his life. "If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen--nothing else matters."

Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.